Solid Recruitment

12 February 2017

Chris Groves

A PAIR of January signings opened their accounts for Argyle in their 3-0 victory over Exeter City, as Derek Adams’ title-challenging side really begins to take shape.

Four players made their home debuts at Home Park in the Devon Expressway Derby, with Jakub Sokolik, Antoni Sarcevic, Matty Kennedy and Ryan Taylor stepping out onto the stage at the Theatre of Greens, in the middle of quite some occasion.

A full house watched the Greens comfortably see of the Grecians, with Kennedy and Taylor both netting in the first half, finding the far corner at the end of slick passing moves. The goal-scorers, along with Sarcevic and Sokolik, all played their part in a bolstered Argyle squad easily seeing off the threat of Sky Bet League Two’s form side.

“I thought they were terrific today. Every single one of them contributed to the team and to the game today,” said Derek. “It’s not easy making your home debut in a derby match, but they showed a lot of confidence. They’re experienced and I think that was important today.

“They’re players we’ve taken into the football club to help us, and they’ve all hit the ground running.”

Kennedy began the game on the left flank, but often worked inside as well, which led to him scoring in the 14th minute. “We had worked on that in midweek in Spain. We looked at how we could get the ball into the hole and then get behind them. The first goal was probably one of the best goals we’ve seen here this season.”

The new boys hitting the ground running leaves Argyle’s squad looking stronger than it has done in many a season, with Craig Tanner, Jake Jervis and others on the bench, and fellow January signing Nathan Blissett not even in the match-day squad. Adams is pleased to not only have that many options at his disposal, but to have options that the gaffer himself has chosen.

“We’ve got good competition in the forward areas,” said Derek. “You look at our bench and it’s very strong. You look at the ones that are out injured; we’ve got good competition at this moment in time.

“Last year, it was difficult for me in my first season. A lot of the budget was used before I could even get here, and I was only to take a few players in. Now, I’ve been able to take in the players that I think the football club requires.”